November 29, 2009: 1st Sunday of Advent

Let us think for a moment who would need my prayer for their peace and hope.

Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

Today is the beginning of a new Christian Year.
We begin with the Advent season, four weeks of quiet preparation before Christmas.
Advent is a season of expectation, both anticipating Jesus’ return at the end of time and preparing for Christmastime, when we will remember his birth. It’s challenging to wait until Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth because for weeks before Christmas we hear and sing carols, see Christmas decorations everywhere, etc. In St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians we are reminded to love one another. As Christians, that is our work every day and every season of the year.

Action:

Advent is a good time of the year to pray for our world. Jesus came into the world to bring hope and peace. Pray for all people that they may experience both peace and hope in their lives.